Motion Picture Herald (Nov-Dec 1946)

Oi\ THE by red icann Unit to Rejoin mmmm ~mm "~ ™~ National Allied WHY producers, and also distributors, go nuts, this being the ukase officially promulgated by RKO on the billing of "Sinbad, the Sailor." "Douglas Fairbanks, Jr. — First position on a separate line. Name shall appear in same color and in type at least equal to size of type used to designate title of picture. Names of Maureen O'Hara and Walter Slezak may be the only other names of cast appearing in same size of type and their names shall appear in same kind and color of type used for Fairbanks. "No featured player shall receive credit larger than 75 per cent of size used for name of artist, and color of type used in giving credit to any featured played shall be either the same color used for name of artist or a color which will not afford such featured player more prominent billing than that accorded the artist. Don't go away. There's more : "First mention of title of picture shall be the largest size of type used for designation of title and subsequent mention of title of picture shall be in smaller type. The artist's name will precede such first mention of title of picture. The artist's picture and the pictures of Maureen O'Hara and Walter Slezak may be the only pictures of any members of cast which may precede first mention of title of picture and artist's picture shall be the first of such pictures and pictures of O'Hara and Slezak may not be larger or more prominent, nor may such pictures appear in any color more prominent than that used to display artist's picture. If any pictures are used of any other members of cast, the size of such pictures shall not be larger in relation to artist's picture than is the printing used for their respective names." Is that clear? Notes off the printed page : Louella O. Parsons apparently bemoaning matters because "it's tough enough trying to assemble a glittering cast for one production" although stars are "demanding — and getting— $300,000 a picture." Hedda Hopper telling her reading public Metro has allotted five millions for the production of "The Green Dolphin." Charles K. Feldman, the well-known Hollywood agent, acquiring film rights of "The Glass Menagerie" for a reputed $400,000 against %Vz per cent of the net plus VA per cent of the gross over $400,000. Note from an observer's cuff : New York home offices are riding an economy wave. Stories about writers in Hollywood are legion. Here's one about a junior at a major studio : If being ignored was the criterion of his success, he was a panic by the third month. No one called him. No one visited him. No one asked what he was writing. In the fourth month of his vacuum he was discovered one day picking up the telephone, dialing, listening, putting down the receiver. At regular intervals, he repeated. Came the query ; finally : "What are you up to?" Came the reply : "I'm ringing the operator just to hear her ask, 'Number, please?' They're the only two words I've ever heard around here." Whatever happened to: Metro's earnest desire to hold 'em to 100 minutes apiece? Warners' plan to film the life of Will Rogers ? That old, old one about "the right to buy?" Sam Goldwyn and his death-to-doublefeatures ? Harry Brandt's grandstand play about joining his ITO of New York to Allied? Enterprise's distribution deal with Columbia ? If it is correct that Charlie Einfeld has purchased Charles Jackson's ["The Lost Weekend"] new book, "The Fall of Valor," it will take enterprise to whitewash its subject matter to make a film possible. And if he applies the brush, as must be the case, will he be making the book? More sleepless nights for Joe Breen, too. About those "Tidbit Bars" which the Century Circuit will install in its Greater New York houses as a route to extra profits. To Freddie Schwartz : "When do you add hot dogs." From him: "If you can find a stainless mustard, we'll do it tomorrow." Urging the abandonment of price controls in the Canadian film industry without delay, there was J. Earl Lawson, president of Odeon Theatres, remarking in Toronto the other day there was no relation between inflation and the cost of entertainment. Hoiv does he figure that one? Perhaps that circuit operator who once said he could earn two million more a year if he could pick his own product will get his wish after all. The New York case, vou know. Walter Winchell, with his usual enthusiasm, writes Howard Hughes "will make only ten million on 'The Outlaw'." W. W. ought to check his sources. Iowa-Nebraska Allied voted Tuesday to rejoin the national organization, national Allied. Meeting in convention in Des Moines, the organization, last affiliated with national Allied 15 years ago, passed a resolution directing the presiding officers to take the necessary action for affiliation. The group thus ruled out consideration of membership in the American Theatres Association, first under discussion at the annual meeting last spring. The decision to join national Allied came after speeches of explanation and purpose by Jack Kirsch, national Allied president, and Sidney Samuelson, Philadelphia. The following resolutions were passed at the two-day meeting: The "third degree" employed by checkers should be resisted. "Exorbitant" film rentals for playbacks reissues and reprints must be opposed by the organization. The "many" sales and playdate drives should be opposed. Distributors should be requested to reduce existing clearances to the "absolute minimum." The convention also went on record with this : "We would like to see radio broadcaster Jimmy Fidler muzzled." The next annual meeting of the organization will be held May 5-6 in Omaha. Prior to the general convention the Southern Nebraska Exhibitors met Thursday at the Rialto theatre, Beatrice, for the third Nebraska regional. The organization reiterated its stand against local checkers, high checking costs, demands for increased film rentals and for theatre cost accounting. Advertising problems and costs were also part of the discussion. President Howard E. Brookings outlined the aims of the organization. He attended with Bick Downey, executive secretary. Plans were made for a meeting to be held at Lincoln in the near future with A. D. St. Clair of the Grand theatre, Wymore, as chairman. H. A. Cole Is Reelected Head of Texas Allied Col. H. A. Cole was reelected president of Allied Theatre Owners of Texas at the close, Tuesday, of that organization's two-day meeting in Dallas. All other officers were also reelected, including: A, W. Illy, Greenville, secretary-treasurer; Ruben Frels, Vic"toria, first vice-president; and Mrs. Martha McSpadden, Electra ; P. V. Williams, Munday, and Phil Isley, Dallas, also vice-presidents. A resolution was passed affirming and approving Allied Theatre Owners' stand on the Government's anti-trust suit which commends all actions, to date, of the Department of Justice. 20 MOTION PICTURE HERALD, NOVEMBER 2, 1946